New Year's Day racing
With the race open to all, eight boats lined up off X mark for the beat to C. A technical sausage/triangle course set by Steve Dadd using Rumrunner as the committee boat witnessed the prettiest boat in the club suffering the ignomy of having a broom lashed to a stantion with an orange flag tied to the top signifying one end of the line, as her mast had been removed the day before.
Photo: Saskia V sails up the harbour to the finish line
Steve Bowerman made a welcome return to racing in The General whilst visitors from Castle Cove in Echo took up the invitation to race.
After some two hours of charging around the bay, Draig was the first to appear from behind Condor. Those club members who had chosen the warmth of the club house and the comfort of Peter and Alison's brunch menu had a grandstand view of the boats spinnakering up the river.
Ricky Bruton coaxed Sapphire around the course with just his sister and Debbie Rees for crew whilst Roy Shelley in Katrina needs a special mention for sailing from the new Portland Marina to take part and after sailing up the river turned round and sailed back again, his reward was to be escorted through the northern entrance by three dolphins.
The race was narrowly won by Farr Out who received a bottle of champagne kindly donated by Draig. Mike and Di Gill on Snowgoose pushed them hard all the way only to loose by 8 seconds on adjusted time. Jez's run of good fortune continued with the Lifeboat draw where he picked up a box of Palmer's beer. What a good start to the New Year - well done chaps ! However, as was pointed out, it can only go down hill from now on !!
